RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026 was a match that set the tournament alight. In a display of sheer dominance, Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women crushed UP Warriorz Women by 9 wickets with an astonishing 47 balls to spare. This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. Grace Harris unleashed a ferocious 85 off 40 balls, turning the game into a one-sided spectacle at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
As your go-to source for niche cricket news on IPL Star, we’re diving deep into this WPL 2026 clash. Whether you’re a die-hard RCB fan or following UP Warriorz’s journey, this comprehensive recap covers every boundary, wicket, and turning point. Let’s break it down step by step.
Pre-Match Context: Team Form, Lineups, and Expectations
RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026 Heading into the 5th match of WPL 2026, both teams had contrasting starts. RCB Women kicked off their campaign with a nail-biting last-ball victory against Mumbai Indians Women, showcasing resilience but highlighting areas for improvement in their fielding and middle-order stability.
UP Warriorz Women, on the other hand, were searching for their first win after a disappointing opening loss. Their batting lineup, led by captain Meg Lanning, had struggled with consistency at the top. In a bold move, they experimented with Harleen Deol as Lanning’s opening partner, hoping to inject some aggression early on.
RCB’s Momentum After Opening Win
RCB entered the game with confidence boosted by Nadine de Klerk’s all-round heroics in their opener – a four-wicket haul and an unbeaten half-century. Captain Smriti Mandhana emphasized team unity in pre-match interviews, stating, “We’re focusing on executing plans regardless of the opposition.” Their lineup featured explosive opener Grace Harris, promoted to partner Mandhana, a decision that paid dividends spectacularly.
From online resources like ESPNcricinfo , RCB’s strategy revolved around exploiting the dew factor at DY Patil by bowling first if they won the toss – a tactic that has worked in 27 consecutive WPL matches at venues with similar conditions.
UP Warriorz’s Search for the Right Opening Pair
UP Warriorz’s top-order woes were evident. After failing with their previous combination, bringing in Harleen Deol aimed to provide stability alongside Lanning’s experience. However, as fan discussions on X (formerly Twitter) highlighted [post:11], their PowerPlay intent was lacking.
Key players like Sophie Ecclestone and Deandra Dottin were expected to shine, but the team needed to address dot-ball pressure. Predictions from sites like JeetBuzz.News favored RCB slightly due to their balanced attack.
Key Player Battles to Watch
- Grace Harris vs Sophie Ecclestone: Harris’ power against spin was a highlight.
- Meg Lanning vs Lauren Bell: Bell’s swing troubled openers in the opener.
- Deepti Sharma vs Shreyanka Patil: A spin duel that could decide the middle overs.
What to expect? Bullet points for quick insights:
- RCB aiming for a high NRR boost.
- UPW desperate to avoid an 0-2 start.
- Dew likely to favor the chasing side.
For more on WPL 2026 team previews, check our IPL Star’s WPL 2026 Season Guide.
Toss, Venue Conditions, and Match Details
RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026 The toss often dictates outcomes in T20 cricket, and this match was no exception. Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women won the toss and opted to bowl first – a smart call given the venue’s history.
Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, with a capacity of 60,000, is known for its batsman-friendly pitches but offers early assistance to seamers under lights. Historical data from past WPL seasons shows teams batting second have a 65% win rate here, thanks to dew making gripping the ball tough for spinners.
Conditions on January 13, 2026, were ideal: clear skies, mild temperature around 25°C, and a pitch report indicating a true surface with good carry. As per Indian Express live updates , the outfield was quick, favoring aggressive stroke play.
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Series | Women’s Premier League 2026 |
| Date | January 13, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST (2:00 PM GMT) |
| Toss | RCB Women won and elected to bowl |
| Venue | Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| Umpires | Bhavesh Patel, Gayathri Venugopalan |
| Third Umpire | Keyur Kelkar |
| Referee | GS Lakshmi |
| Broadcast (India) | Star Sports Network (TV), JioHotstar (Streaming) |
For full venue stats: Cricinfo Venue Guide.
UP Warriorz Innings: Top-Order Collapse and Late Fightback (143/5)
RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026 UP Warriorz’s innings started on a shaky note and never fully recovered, despite a valiant late partnership. Sent in to bat, they managed only 143/5 in 20 overs – a total that looked underwhelming on a good track.
Disastrous PowerPlay
Lauren Bell set the tone with her swinging deliveries, troubling the openers. Harleen Deol fetched a couple of boundaries but spooned a catch to Smriti Mandhana at mid-off for 11 off 14 balls. Meg Lanning survived an early reprieve when a low catch was ruled invalid, but the pressure mounted.
By the end of PowerPlay (0.1-6 overs), UPW were 36/1 – their lowest PowerPlay score this season. Fan reactions on X captured the frustration: “UPW openers need to show more intent!”.
de Klerk and Patil’s Double Strikes
Shreyanka Patil struck in her second over, dismissing Lanning (14 off 21) with a low catch to Radha Yadav at deep midwicket. In the same over, Phoebe Litchfield (20 off 11, including a reverse-sweep six) flat-batted a short ball to Mandhana at mid-on.
Nadine de Klerk then delivered a dream over: two wickets in two balls. Kiran Navgire (5 off 3) heaved to deep midwicket, and Shweta Sehrawat (0 off 1) sliced to backward point. UPW slumped to 50/5 in 8.2 overs – their worst start in WPL history, per Cricinfo stats .
Deepti-Dottin Rescue Act
From the ashes rose Deepti Sharma and Deandra Dottin. They batted cautiously initially, adding 25 runs in 27 deliveries. Dottin broke free with a four and six off Patil in the 15th over, signaling intent.
Their unbroken 93-run stand (off 70 balls) was the highest for the 6th wicket in WPL 2026 so far. Deepti (45* off 35, 5 fours, 1 six) provided stability, while Dottin (40* off 37, 3 fours, 1 six) muscled boundaries.
Death Overs Push
The last four overs yielded 43 runs, with Patil conceding 15 in the 20th. This flourish took UPW to 143/5, but as Yardbarker noted , it was “a distant dream from 50/5.”
| UP Warriorz Batting Scorecard | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meg Lanning (c) | c Radha Yadav b Shreyanka Patil | 14 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Harleen Deol | c Mandhana b Bell | 11 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 78.57 |
| Phoebe Litchfield | c Mandhana b Shreyanka Patil | 20 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 181.82 |
| Kiran Navgire | c Smith b de Klerk | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 166.67 |
| Shweta Sehrawat (wk) | c Reddy b de Klerk | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Deepti Sharma | not out | 45 | 35 | 5 | 1 | 128.57 |
| Deandra Dottin | not out | 40 | 37 | 3 | 1 | 108.11 |
| Extras | (b 0, lb 1, w 5, nb 2) | 8 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 143/5 (20 overs, RR: 7.15) | – | – | – | – | – |
Did not bat: Sophie Ecclestone, Asha Sobhana, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud.
| RCB Bowling Figures | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lauren Bell | 4 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 4.00 |
| Linsey Smith | 4 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 7.50 |
| Shreyanka Patil | 4 | 0 | 50 | 2 | 12.50 |
| Arundhati Reddy | 4 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 4.50 |
| Nadine de Klerk | 4 | 0 | 28 | 2 | 7.00 |
Fall of Wickets: 21-1 (4.2), 39-2 (7.1), 50-3 (7.6), 50-4 (8.1), 50-5 (8.2).
PowerPlay: 0.1-6 overs – 36 runs.
Match Flow: Strategic timeouts at 8.1 (50/4) and 16.0 (100/5). Reviews: Two unsuccessful by RCB on Dottin and Sharma.
This innings highlighted UPW’s reliance on lower-order rescues, a trend from past seasons where they posted high scores like 225/3 vs RCB in 2025.
RCB Bowling Masterclass: How They Restricted UPW to 143
RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026 RCB’s bowling unit was the unsung hero, blending swing, spin, and pace to dismantle UPW. Lauren Bell’s opening spell (1/16) was masterful, swinging the new ball to concede just 16 runs in four overs – her best figures in WPL.
Lauren Bell’s Perfect Start
Bell troubled the openers with inswingers, forcing Deol’s error. As she said post-match , “I’ve been grooving this awayswinger… glad to set the tone.” Her economy of 4.00 restricted UPW to 36 in PowerPlay, the lowest against RCB this season.
Shreyanka Patil’s Twin Strikes
Patil (2/50) mixed pace variations, claiming Lanning and Litchfield in one over. Despite leaking runs later, her ability to break partnerships was crucial. Comparisons to past WPL spinners like Asha Sobhana (ex-RCB) show Patil’s strike rate improving.
Nadine de Klerk’s Dream Run Continues
de Klerk (2/28) followed her four-for vs MI with another gem. Her two-in-two balls exploited Navgire’s aggression and Sehrawat’s drive. Tactical field placements, like deep midwicket, paid off.
Arundhati Reddy (0/18) and Linsey Smith (0/30) provided control, with Reddy’s cutters keeping the run rate under 5 in her spell.
Overall, RCB’s plan focused on left-right bowler combinations and aggressive fields, forcing 56/5 by mid-innings. This was a marked improvement from their opener’s fielding lapses, as Mandhana noted .
For expert bowling tips Cricinfo’s Bowling Analysis.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Chase: Grace Harris’ Brutal Assault (145/1 in 12.1 overs)
RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026 RCB’s chase was a demolition job. Needing 144, they raced to 145/1 in 12.1 overs, thanks to Harris’ carnage and Mandhana’s elegance.
Explosive PowerPlay (78/0)
Harris and Mandhana exploded from ball one, scoring 46/0 in five overs. Harris targeted loose deliveries, while Mandhana timed boundaries effortlessly.
The highlight? Deandra Dottin’s sixth over: 4NB, 6, 4, 6, 6, WD, 4 – 32 runs, joint-most expensive in WPL history . Harris went from 25 to 55 in that over, smashing three sixes and three fours. As per Times of India , “Harris hits all areas – brute power down the ground.”
PowerPlay ended at 78/0 – RCB’s highest ever.
Harris Tears Into Dottin – The Historic 32-Run Over
Anything in Harris’ arc was tonked. Short balls were pulled mercilessly, full ones driven downtown. Her 22-ball fifty justified the promotion to opener, as Mandhana praised : “If she gets going, you take the match away.”
Mandhana welcomed Ecclestone with back-to-back fours, pushing RCB past 100 in 7.5 overs.
Mandhana’s Elegant Support
Mandhana (47* off 32, 9 fours) played second fiddle but shone with lofted drives. Her inside-out four off Deepti was class personified. Harris got a life on 84 but fell next ball to Shikha Pandey (c Lanning).
With 7 needed, Richa Ghosh (4* off 2) hit a four, and byes sealed the win.
| RCB Batting Scorecard | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grace Harris | c Lanning b Shikha Pandey | 85 | 40 | 10 | 5 | 212.50 |
| Smriti Mandhana (c) | not out | 47 | 32 | 9 | 0 | 146.88 |
| Richa Ghosh (wk) | not out | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Extras | (b 4, lb 1, w 3, nb 1) | 9 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 145/1 (12.1 overs, RR: 11.92) | – | – | – | – | – |
Did not bat: Dayalan Hemalatha, Gautami Naik, Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell.
| UPW Bowling Figures | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deepti Sharma | 3.1 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 7.90 |
| Kranti Gaud | 2 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 9.00 |
| Shikha Pandey | 3 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 9.30 |
| Deandra Dottin | 1 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 32.00 |
| Sophie Ecclestone | 2 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 10.00 |
| Asha Sobhana | 1 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 17.00 |
Fall of Wickets: 137-1 (11.4).
PowerPlay: 0.1-6 overs – 78 runs.
Match Flow: Strategic timeout at 6.0 (78/0). No reviews lost.
This chase echoed RCB’s aggressive style from past wins, like their 2024 triumph over GG.
Standout Performances and Player of the Match
RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026 Grace Harris was the undisputed star, earning Player of the Match for her 85. Her knock included 10 fours and 5 sixes, with a strike rate over 212 – the third-highest for RCB in WPL.
- Grace Harris: “I’m loving my time with RCB… batting with Smriti is a reminder you don’t have to over-hit.” Her burger-named bats added fun; this one might be called an “Indian Burger” after such a feast.
- Smriti Mandhana: 47* – Elegant support, making batting look easy.
- Nadine de Klerk: 2/28 – Continued her form, denting UPW early.
- Lauren Bell: 1/16 – Set the tone perfectly.
For UPW, Deepti Sharma’s 45* showed grit, but top-order failures (Lanning 14) were costly. Ecclestone (0/20) couldn’t stem the flow.
Disappointments: Dottin’s over and Lanning’s slow start.
Records Broken and Key Statistical Milestones
RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026 This match shattered several records, underlining RCB’s dominance.
| Largest Wins by Balls Remaining in WPL |
|---|
| 77 – DC vs GG (Navi Mumbai, 2023) |
| 66 – DC vs MI (Navi Mumbai, 2023) |
| 47 – RCB vs UPW (Navi Mumbai, 2026) |
| 45 – RCB vs GG (Bengaluru, 2024) |
| Highest Individual Scores for RCB in WPL |
|---|
| 99(36) – Sophie Devine vs GG (2023) |
| 90*(56) – Ellyse Perry vs UPW (2025) |
| 85(40) – Grace Harris vs UPW (2026) |
| 81(43) – Ellyse Perry vs MI (2025) |
| 81(47) – Smriti Mandhana vs DC (2025) |
Other milestones:
- Joint-most expensive over: 32 runs (Dottin).
- RCB’s highest PowerPlay: 78/0.
- UPW’s lowest mid-innings score: 56/5 at 10 overs.
Comparisons to past: UPW’s 225/5 vs RCB in 2025 shows their potential, but this was a low.
Post-Match Reactions: What the Players and Captains Said
RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026 Reactions poured in, capturing the emotions.
“Yeah, I mean, it was the best seat in the house for me to watch Grace whack those balls.” – Smriti Mandhana
Mandhana praised the bowling and Harris’ promotion, hinting she’ll stay opener.
“I’m just really happy… loving life at the moment.” – Grace Harris
She credited coach Malolan Rangarajan for the opening role.
“Yeah, it’s been good… glad to set the tone.” – Lauren Bell
Bell discussed her swing work with Anya Shrubsole.
“We were outplayed… once she’s in that mood, she’s hard to stop.” – Meg Lanning on Harris
Lanning admitted top-order issues and quick turnaround needed.
Fan tweets echoed: “RCB domination!”, “Grace-ful knock”.
These quotes reveal RCB’s confidence and UPW’s need for tweaks.
Points Table After Match 5: RCB Surge to the Top
RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026 RCB’s win propelled them to No. 1 with a massive NRR boost.
| Rank | Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RCB Women | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | +1.964 |
| 2 | Gujarat Giants Women | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | +0.350 |
| 3 | Mumbai Indians Women | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +1.175 |
| 4 | Delhi Capitals Women | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -1.350 |
| 5 | UP Warriorz Women | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -2.443 |
RCB’s +1.964 NRR gives them an edge; UPW’s -2.443 piles pressure.
In-Depth Tactical Breakdown: Why RCB Dominated
RCB’s victory wasn’t luck; it was tactical brilliance.
Toss Decision and Conditions Exploitation
Choosing to bowl exploited dew and swing, as predicted [post:12]. DY Patil’s night games favor chasers – RCB nailed it.
Bowling Plans That Worked
Early swing from Bell, spin variations from Patil, and de Klerk’s pace changes targeted UPW’s weaknesses. Field sets, like running catches, improved from game one.
Batting Approach – Aggression vs Caution
Promoting Harris was genius – her PowerPlay assault (78 runs) killed the game. Mandhana’s calm complemented, avoiding risks. UPW’s attack, vaunted with Ecclestone, lacked answers.
Fielding Improvements
Sharper than opener, with key catches by Mandhana and Yadav.
What UPW Got Wrong
Opening experiment failed; too many dots (over 50% in first 10 overs). Shikha Pandey’s cross-seam didn’t swing, as Lanning admitted . Comparisons to 2025 superover loss to RCB [post:25] show recurring issues.
Expert insight: RCB’s depth (11 players contributing) vs UPW’s top-heavy lineup. From Threads , this was RCB’s 27th straight bowl-first success pattern.
For more tactics Cricinfo Tactical Report.
Conclusion: A Statement Win and What Comes Next
RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026 was a masterclass in T20 cricket – aggressive batting, clinical bowling, and smart tactics. This 9-wicket thrashing not only boosted RCB’s NRR but positioned them as title contenders early in the season.
For UPW, it’s back to the drawing board: fix the top order and adapt faster. With games coming thick and fast, they face Delhi Capitals next on January 14.
RCB’s next: vs Gujarat Giants on January 15 – can they make it three in a row?
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Which team will lift the WPL 2026 trophy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
FAQs: RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026
- Who won the RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026 5th match? Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women registered a dominant 9-wicket victory over UP Warriorz Women in the 5th match of WPL 2026, chasing 144 with 47 balls to spare on January 13, 2026, at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai.
- What was the final score in RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026? UP Warriorz Women posted 143/5 in 20 overs, powered by Deepti Sharma’s 45 and Deandra Dottin’s 40. RCB Women chased it down for 145/1 in just 12.1 overs, led by Grace Harris’ explosive 85.
- How did Grace Harris perform in the RCB vs UPW WPL 2026 match? Grace Harris smashed a brutal 85 off 38 balls, including a record-breaking 32-run over against Deandra Dottin – the most expensive over in WPL history – earning her Player of the Match in RCB’s comprehensive win.
- What were the key highlights of RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women 5th match WPL 2026? Highlights included UPW’s top-order collapse, Nadine de Klerk’s double-wicket burst, a 78-run PowerPlay for RCB, Grace Harris’ assault, and RCB’s biggest-ever WPL win by balls remaining.
- Who won the toss in RCB vs UPW WPL 2026 5th match? RCB Women captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that paid off handsomely as their bowlers restricted UP Warriorz to 143/5 on a swing-friendly pitch.
- Which records were broken in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026 match? The match saw the most expensive over in WPL history (32 runs off Dottin), RCB’s highest successful chase PowerPlay score (78/0), and one of the largest victories by balls remaining in WPL.
- Who was Player of the Match in RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026? Grace Harris was named Player of the Match for her match-winning 85 off 38 balls, which powered RCB to a 9-wicket victory with 47 balls remaining.
- How did the points table change after RCB vs UPW 5th match WPL 2026? RCB surged to the top of the WPL 2026 points table with two wins from two games and a massive NRR boost (+1.964), while UP Warriorz slipped to 0-2, increasing pressure on Meg Lanning’s side.
- What was the venue and date for the 5th match of WPL 2026 between RCB and UPW? The match was played on January 13, 2026, at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, a venue known for offering early assistance to bowlers.
- Why was RCB’s win over UP Warriorz in WPL 2026 considered a statement victory? RCB’s clinical bowling, led by Nadine de Klerk and Lauren Bell, followed by Grace Harris’ aggressive batting exposed UPW’s batting frailties and propelled RCB to the top of the table with superior net run rate.